”The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst Argumentative

Have you ever felt a mysterious relationship with some element of nature? Many people experience this uncanny phenomenon. Similarly, there is a strange correlation between the character Doodle and a tropical bird. The thesis in the story, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, the author portrays a significant relationship between Doodle and an ibis through foreshadowing and imagery.

From the first appearance of the ibis, one can tell that there is an instant connection between the bird and Doodle. When the ibis died, the narrator says, “Doodles hands were clasped around his throat, and I had never seen him stand still for so long.” Doodle felt very sad for this dead bird. He was very sympathetic for it. The author mentioned this to show how sad Doodle was when he realized the ibis was dead. He also wanted to show the connection between Doodle and the bird. When you read this you feel sympathetic for both Doodle and the ibis. You also realize how Doodle and the tropical bird are linked. After the narrator goes inside, Hurst says, “Slowly, while singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” he carried the bird around to the front yard and dug a hole in the flower garden, next to the petunia bed”. This means he wanted the bird to have a proper burial. Doodle feels empathetic for the bird and does what he would want someone to do for him. He says this so that you know how bad Doodle feelings are about the bird’s death. The author wants you to see that Doodle feels about the situation. As the reader you feel sorry for doodle because you see the connection between him and the bird. You can tell the authors foreshadowing. Doodles connection with the bird is obvious.

In addition to Doodle and the readers, there are others that recognize a tragic link between Doodle and the ibis. The writer says, “Dead birds is bad luck…Specially red dead birds.” Nobody feels good about the ibis dying in their yard. The all know it’s not a good sign. The author says this to show that the bird’s appearance is a symbol. He’s using foreshadowing to show this. When reading this you realize that this isn’t good for Doodle. You know that something bad is going to happen to Doodle. Later, the story says, “…the tear blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar.” He was looking at Doodles dead body and crying. Doodles body was familiar to his brother. The reason the author said this is to say doodle was dead without blatantly telling us he was dead. He also wanted us to know brother was sad about Doodles death. This makes the reader feel bad for Doodle and brother. We feel bad for Doodle because it wasn’t his fault and we feel bad for his brother because we know he didn’t mean to cause Doodles death. Doodles death was inevitable.

Finally, there is a grim and uncanny resemblance between Doodle and the Ibis in death. Hurst says, “…making his vermillion neck appear unusually long and slim.” Doodles neck was red from the cold rain and looked different than normal. His neck seemed longer because he wasn’t moving. The reason the author included this was to show how weak Doodle was. He wasn’t in good enough shape to run so fast. After reading you think that brother was extremely mean for causing his brother’s death. We feel that he did it on purpose. Then, the narrator says, “I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.” The narrator was protecting his brother’s body from the storm. He was feeling sorrow and regret. The writer wanted you to know that it wasn’t on purpose. He wanted readers to know that the brother meant no harm. As the reader you feel bad for both brothers instead of only Doodle. You realize brother wasn’t trying to hurt his brother. Doodles death is sad for everyone.

Doodle dies a sad death because of his brother who was also his role model and idol. Brother shows how greedy he is by risking his little brother’s life. But in the end, brother realizes that doodle could not have done the things he’d done without his older brother. After Doodles death brother also realizes that some things can’t be changed no matter how much work is put into it.